Jim McElwain wants Craig-Myers to be a hometown hero

One of the Florida Gators top receiver targets Nate Craig-Myers (6-2, 205, Tampa, FL Catholic) started his season off on Friday night in a preseason game and according to Craig-Myers the game was a success.

“I feel like we came out and did what we tried to do in practice this week,” Craig-Myers said. “I feel like we can go in and watch film this weekend and get better. We still have a lot of work to do.”

Craig-Myers is coming off an injury, but now that he’s a senior he feels the leadership role is on him and that’s a major goal for him.

“I just really want to lead my team,” he said of goals this year. “When we are down I want to make plays for them and I just want to make my team better out here.”

Despite Craig-Myers having his high school football season underway, recruiting is something that is still hot and heavy for him and he says that he has been talking to Florida Gators receiver coach Kerry Dixon a lot lately.

“Coach Dixon is the coach that is recruiting me the hardest from Florida,” Craig-Myers said. “He’s a great guy, he always gives me a nice motivational talks. I feel he’s going to do a good job with the receivers. I’m looking forward to that.”

Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain have both been recruiting Craig-Myers hard as well, and he likes where they are taking the Florida offense.

“I like the way they got things going. They are going in the right direction on offense,” he said of the Florida Gators offense. “I feel like they are going to turn the Gators back into the old Gators team. Coach McElwain is going to take the program in the right direction.”

McElwain has been doing a lot of recruiting on the Tampa receiver and Craig-Myers said the message is simple and to the point for him.

“He tells me that I can come in and be a hometown hero for them,” Craig-Myers said of McElwain’s message. “Just come in and play right away and help the team out on offense.”

Despite Craig-Myers brother (Jayvaughn) committing to Florida, the receiver still says he’s open to everyone.

“I’m planning on going on some official visits during the season and after the season,” he said. “My decision will definitely be before signing day. January or something like that.”

Quotes provided by Daniel Thompson

INSIDERS TAKE:Craig-Myers mentioned that he has a lot of interest in Florida, Notre Dame, Alabama, North Carolina and Ohio State, but said that he doesn’t have a leader and at this time doesn’t have any official visits set up. Craig-Myers is expected to visit Florida for a few games this fall.

Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

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